Synthesis and antibacterial activity of arylpiperazinyl oxazolidinones with diversification of the N-substituents

A series of 4-arylpiperazin-1-yl-3-phenyloxazolidin-2-one derivatives with diversification of the N-substituents such as methylene O-linked heterocycles, thioamide, dithiocarbamate, thiourea, and thiocarbamate were synthesized and evaluated as antibacterial agents. Their in vitro activities (MIC) were evaluated against MRSA and VRE resistant Gram-positive strains such as Staphylococcus and Enterococcus. Most of the compounds were more potent in vitro but less active in vivo than linezolid.